News

Center Holds Virtual National Transit Coach Operator Apprenticeship Committee Meeting

Posted December 2020

On December 3, the Center held a virtual meeting of the National Transit Coach Operator Apprenticeship Committee. Jamaine Gibson, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) International Workforce Development Coordinator, gave opening remarks and emphasized ATU’s strong support for joint apprenticeship programs.

The meeting provided a chance for committee member locations to update the group on recent progress made towards registered operator apprenticeship and to get feedback and guidance from the Center and the other members. Committee members also discussed how the pandemic has impacted operations and training at their respective locations. Locations with already established apprenticeships spoke about the many benefits they have seen from the program and how they are continuing to improve their programs despite external circumstances. Benefits include:
·      Increased operator retention
·      Network of support for new operators
·      Mentors provide source of trusted advice
·      Increased employee engagement

The meeting was well attended by representatives from labor and management at twelve transit agencies, including several agencies that recently joined in order to start working towards apprenticeship. At the close of the meeting, ATU International Vice-President, Marcellus Barnes, spoke to the importance of the apprenticeship program as a way to uplift the profession of transit coach operator and of improving the lives of frontline workers.

For more information on registered coach operator apprenticeship, please contact Kenyon Corbett .